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Held NR, Bauer T, Reiter JT, Hoppe C, Keil VCW, Radbruch A, Helmstaedter C, Surges R, Rüber T. Globally altered microstructural properties and network topology in Rasmussen's encephalitis. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad290. [PMID: 37953836 PMCID: PMC10638105 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Rasmussen's encephalitis is an immune-mediated brain disorder characterised by progressive unilateral cerebral atrophy, neuroinflammation, drug-resistant seizures and cognitive decline. However, volumetric changes and epileptiform EEG activity were also observed in the contralateral hemisphere, raising questions about the aetiology of contralateral involvement. In this study, we aim to investigate alterations of white matter integrity, structural network topology and network efficiency in Rasmussen's encephalitis using diffusion-tensor imaging. Fourteen individuals with Rasmussen's encephalitis (11 female, median onset 6 years, range 4-22, median disease duration at MRI 5 years, range 0-42) and 20 healthy control subjects were included. All subjects underwent T1-weighted structural and diffusion-tensor imaging. Diffusion-tensor images were analysed using the fixel-based analysis framework included in the MRtrix3 toolbox. Fibre density and cross-section served as a quantitative measure for microstructural white matter integrity. T1-weighted structural images were processed using FreeSurfer, subcortical segmentations and cortical parcellations using the Desikan-Killiany atlas served as nodes in a structural network model, edge weights were determined based on streamline count between pairs of nodes and compared using network-based statistics. Global efficiency was used to quantify network integration on an intrahemispheric level. All metrics were compared cross-sectionally between individuals with Rasmussen's encephalitis and healthy control subjects using sex and age as regressors and within the Rasmussen's encephalitis group using linear regression including age at onset and disease duration as independent variables. Relative to healthy control subjects, individuals with Rasmussen's encephalitis showed significantly (family-wise-error-corrected P < 0.05) lower fibre density and cross-section as well as edge weights in intrahemispheric connections within the ipsilesional hemisphere and in interhemispheric connections. Lower edge weights were noted in the contralesional hemisphere and in interhemispheric connections, with the latter being mainly affected within the first 2 years after disease onset. With longer disease duration, fibre density and cross-section significantly (uncorrected P < 0.01) decreased in both hemispheres. In the contralesional corticospinal tract, fibre density and cross-section significantly (uncorrected P < 0.01) increased with disease duration. Intrahemispheric edge weights (uncorrected P < 0.01) and global efficiency significantly increased with disease duration in both hemispheres (ipsilesional r = 0.74, P = 0.001; contralesional r = 0.67, P = 0.012). Early disease onset was significantly (uncorrected P < 0.01) negatively correlated with lower fibre density and cross-section bilaterally. Our results show that the disease process of Rasmussen's encephalitis is not limited to the cortex of the lesioned hemisphere but should be regarded as a network disease affecting white matter across the entire brain and causing degenerative as well as compensatory changes on a network level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina R Held
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tobias Bauer
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Johannes T Reiter
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Hoppe
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Vera C W Keil
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cancer Center Amsterdam, Brain Tumor Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alexander Radbruch
- Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Surges
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Theodor Rüber
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany
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Jaafar F, Obeid M, Beydoun A. Role of Early Intravenous Immunoglobulins in Halting Clinical and Radiographic Disease Progression in Rasmussen Encephalitis. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 145:30-35. [PMID: 37269621 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare progressive presumed autoimmune disorder characterized by pharmacoresistant epilepsy and progressive motor and cognitive deterioration. Despite immunomodulation, more than half of the patients with RE ultimately require functional hemispherotomy. In this study, we evaluated the potential beneficial effects of early initiation of immunomodulation in slowing disease progression and preventing the need for surgical interventions. METHODS A retrospective chart review over a 10-year period was conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center to identify patients with RE. Data were collected on seizure characteristics, neurological deficits, electroencephalography, brain magnetic resonance imaging results (including volumetric analyses for an objective assessment of radiographic progression), and treatment modalities. RESULTS Seven patients met the inclusion criteria for RE. All patients received intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) as soon as the diagnosis was entertained. Five patients with only monthly to weekly seizures at the time of IVIG initiation had favorable outcomes without resorting to surgery, along with a relative preservation of the gray matter volumes in the affected cerebral hemispheres. Motor strength was preserved in those patients, and three were seizure free at their last follow-up visit. The two patients who required hemispherotomy were already severely hemiparetic and experiencing daily seizures at the time of IVIG initiation. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the early initiation of IVIG as soon as a diagnosis of RE is suspected, and particularly before the appearance of motor deficits and intractable seizures, can maximize the beneficial effects of immunomodulation in terms of controlling seizures and reducing the rate of cerebral atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Jaafar
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Makram Obeid
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Indiana.
| | - Ahmad Beydoun
- Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Wood GK, Babar R, Ellul MA, Thomas RH, Van Den Tooren H, Easton A, Tharmaratnam K, Burnside G, Alam AM, Castell H, Boardman S, Collie C, Facer B, Dunai C, Defres S, Granerod J, Brown DWG, Vincent A, Marson AG, Irani SR, Solomon T, Michael BD. Acute seizure risk in patients with encephalitis: development and validation of clinical prediction models from two independent prospective multicentre cohorts. BMJ Neurol Open 2022; 4:e000323. [PMID: 36110928 PMCID: PMC9445799 DOI: 10.1136/bmjno-2022-000323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective In patients with encephalitis, the development of acute symptomatic seizures is highly variable, but when present is associated with a worse outcome. We aimed to determine the factors associated with seizures in encephalitis and develop a clinical prediction model. Methods We analysed 203 patients from 24 English hospitals (2005-2008) (Cohort 1). Outcome measures were seizures prior to and during admission, inpatient seizures and status epilepticus. A binary logistic regression risk model was converted to a clinical score and independently validated on an additional 233 patients from 31 UK hospitals (2013-2016) (Cohort 2). Results In Cohort 1, 121 (60%) patients had a seizure including 103 (51%) with inpatient seizures. Admission Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8/15 was predictive of subsequent inpatient seizures (OR (95% CI) 5.55 (2.10 to 14.64), p<0.001), including in those without a history of prior seizures at presentation (OR 6.57 (95% CI 1.37 to 31.5), p=0.025).A clinical model of overall seizure risk identified admission GCS along with aetiology (autoantibody-associated OR 11.99 (95% CI 2.09 to 68.86) and Herpes simplex virus 3.58 (95% CI 1.06 to 12.12)) (area under receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) =0.75 (95% CI 0.701 to 0.848), p<0.001). The same model was externally validated in Cohort 2 (AUROC=0.744 (95% CI 0.677 to 0.811), p<0.001). A clinical scoring system for stratifying inpatient seizure risk by decile demonstrated good discrimination using variables available on admission; age, GCS and fever (AUROC=0.716 (95% CI 0.634 to 0.798), p<0.001) and once probable aetiology established (AUROC=0.761 (95% CI 0.6840.839), p<0.001). Conclusion Age, GCS, fever and aetiology can effectively stratify acute seizure risk in patients with encephalitis. These findings can support the development of targeted interventions and aid clinical trial design for antiseizure medication prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta K Wood
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Roshan Babar
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mark A Ellul
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rhys Huw Thomas
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Neurosciences, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Harriet Van Den Tooren
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ava Easton
- Encephalitis Society, Malton, UK
- University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kukatharmini Tharmaratnam
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
| | - Girvan Burnside
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ali M Alam
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hannah Castell
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarah Boardman
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ceryce Collie
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Bethany Facer
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Cordelia Dunai
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sylviane Defres
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - David W G Brown
- Virus Reference Department, UK Health Security Agency, London, UK
| | - Angela Vincent
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony Guy Marson
- Department of Neurology, The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sarosh R Irani
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tom Solomon
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Benedict D Michael
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary, and Ecological Science, University of Liverpool Department of Clinical Infection Microbiology and Immunology, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Zamani J, Sadr A, Javadi AH. Comparison of cortical and subcortical structural segmentation methods in Alzheimer's disease: A statistical approach. J Clin Neurosci 2022; 99:99-108. [PMID: 35278936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Automated segmentation methods are developed to help with the segmentation of different brain areas. However, their reliability has yet to be fully investigated. To have a more comprehensive understanding of the distribution of changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as investigating the reliability of different segmentation methods, in this study we compared volumes of cortical and subcortical brain segments, using HIPS, volBrain, CAT and BrainSuite automated segmentation methods between AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls (HC). METHODS A total of 182 MRI images were taken from the minimal interval resonance imaging in Alzheimer's disease (MIRIAD; 22 AD and 22 HC) and the Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative database (ADNI; 43 AD, 50 MCI and 45 HC) datasets. Statistical methods were used to compare different groups as well as the correlation between different methods. RESULTS The two methods of volBrain and CAT showed a strong correlation (p's < 0.035 Bonferroni corrected for multiple comparisons). The two methods, however, showed no significant correlation with BrainSuite (p's > 0.820 Bonferroni corrected). Furthermore, BrainSuite did not follow the same trend as the other three methods and only HIPS, volBrain and CAT showed strong conformity with the past literature with strong correlation with mini mental state examination (MMSE) scores. CONCLUSION Our results showed that automated segmentation methods HIPS, volBrain and CAT can be used in the classification of HC, AD and MCI. This is an indication that such methods can be used to inform researchers and clinicians of underlying mechanisms and progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jafar Zamani
- School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Sadr
- School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir-Homayoun Javadi
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK; School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Rikitake M, Hata J, Iida M, Seki F, Ito R, Komaki Y, Yamada C, Yoshimaru D, Okano HJ, Shirakawa T. Analysis of Brain Structure and Neural Organization in Dystrophin-Deficient Model Mice with Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 T. Open Neuroimag J 2022. [DOI: 10.2174/18744400-v15-e2202040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background:
Dystrophin strengthens muscle cells; however, in muscular dystrophy, dystrophin is deficient due to an abnormal sugar chain. This abnormality occurs in skeletal muscle and in brain tissue.
Objective:
This study aimed to non-invasively analyze the neural organization of the brain in muscular dystrophy. We used a mouse model of muscular dystrophy to study whether changes in brain structure and neurodegeneration following dystrophin deficiency can be assessed by 7T magnetic resonance imaging.
Methods:
C57BL/10-mdx (X chromosome-linked muscular dystrophy) mice were used as the dystrophic mouse model and healthy mice were used as controls. Ventricular enlargement is one of the most common brain malformations in dystrophin-deficient patients. Therefore, we examined whether ventricular enlargement was observed in C57BL/10-mdx using transverse-relaxation weighted images. Brain parenchyma analysis was performed using diffusion MRI with diffusion tensor images and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging. Parenchymal degeneration was assessed in terms of directional diffusion, nerve fiber diffusion, and dendritic scattering density.
Results:
For the volume of brain ventricles analyzed by T2WI, the average size was 1.5 times larger in mdx mice compared to control mice. In the brain parenchyma, a significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in parameters indicating disturbances in the direction of nerve fibers and dendritic scattering density in the white matter region.
Conclusion:
Our results show that changes in brain structure due to dystrophin deficiency can be assessed in detail without tissue destruction by combining diffusion tensor images and neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging analyses.
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Tang C, Ren P, Ma K, Li S, Wang X, Guan Y, Zhou J, Li T, Liang X, Luan G. The correspondence between morphometric MRI and metabolic profile in Rasmussen's encephalitis. Neuroimage Clin 2022; 33:102918. [PMID: 34952352 PMCID: PMC8713113 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The GM atrophy located in the insular and temporal cortices of the affected side. Positive correlation was found in the brain region featuring MRI atrophy and FDG-PET. GM atrophy was spatially correlated with dopaminergic and serotonergic mapping in RE.
Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) atrophy is a hallmark of Rasmussen’s encephalitis (RE). Here, we aim to investigate voxel-wise gray matter (GM) atrophy in RE, and its associations with glucose hypometabolism and neurotransmitter distribution utilizing MRI and PET data. In this study, fifteen RE patients and fourteen MRI normal subjects were included in this study. Voxel-wise GM volume and glucose metabolic uptake were evaluated using structural MRI and FDG-PET images, respectively. Spatial Spearman’s correlation was performed between GM atrophy of RE with FDG uptake alterations, and neurotransmitter distributions provided in the JuSpace toolbox. Compared with the control group, RE patients displayed extensive GM volume loss not only in the ipsilateral hemisphere, but also in the frontal lobe, basal ganglia, and cerebellum in the contralateral hemisphere. Within the RE group, the insular and temporal cortices exhibited significantly more GM atrophy on the ipsilesional than the contralesional side. FDG-PET data revealed significant hypometabolism in areas surrounding the insular cortices in the ipsilesional hemisphere. RE-related GM volumetric atrophy was spatially correlated with hypomebolism in FDG uptake, and with spatial distribution of the dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems. The spatial concordance of morphological changes with metabolic abnormalities suggest FDG-PET offers potential value for RE diagnosis. The GM alterations associated with neurotransmitter distribution map could provide novel insight in understanding the neuropathological mechanisms and clinical feature of RE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, SanBo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Peng Ren
- Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Kaiqiang Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, SanBo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Siyang Li
- Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xiongfei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, SanBo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Yuguang Guan
- Department of Neurosurgery, SanBo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, SanBo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Tianfu Li
- Department of Neurology, SanBo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China; Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing 100093, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Xia Liang
- Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Guoming Luan
- Department of Neurosurgery, SanBo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100093, China; Key Laboratory of Epilepsy, Beijing 100093, China; Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing 100093, China.
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Zamani J, Sadr A, Javadi AH. Diagnosis of early mild cognitive impairment using a multiobjective optimization algorithm based on T1-MRI data. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1020. [PMID: 35046444 PMCID: PMC8770462 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-04943-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia. The accurate diagnosis of AD, especially in the early phases is very important for timely intervention. It has been suggested that brain atrophy, as measured with structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI), can be an efficacy marker of neurodegeneration. While classification methods have been successful in diagnosis of AD, the performance of such methods have been very poor in diagnosis of those in early stages of mild cognitive impairment (EMCI). Therefore, in this study we investigated whether optimisation based on evolutionary algorithms (EA) can be an effective tool in diagnosis of EMCI as compared to cognitively normal participants (CNs). Structural MRI data for patients with EMCI (n = 54) and CN participants (n = 56) was extracted from Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Using three automatic brain segmentation methods, we extracted volumetric parameters as input to the optimisation algorithms. Our method achieved classification accuracy of greater than 93%. This accuracy level is higher than the previously suggested methods of classification of CN and EMCI using a single- or multiple modalities of imaging data. Our results show that with an effective optimisation method, a single modality of biomarkers can be enough to achieve a high classification accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jafar Zamani
- School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Sadr
- School of Electrical Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Narmak, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Amir-Homayoun Javadi
- School of Psychology, Keynes College, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
- School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Pellegrin S, Baldeweg T, Pujar S, D'Arco F, Cantalupo G, Varadkar S, Cross JH. Immunomodulation With Azathioprine Therapy in Rasmussen Syndrome: A Multimodal Evaluation. Neurology 2020; 96:e267-e279. [PMID: 33046614 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000011004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To verify safety and efficacy of the corticosteroid-sparing drug azathioprine (AZA) in Rasmussen syndrome (RS), we retrospectively analyzed a cohort of patients with RS recruited in a single pediatric neuroscience center. METHODS We compared outcomes in 30 patients with RS who received AZA with 23 patients who were not treated with this drug. We used a multimodal approach to correlate therapy with clinical features (seizures, epilepsia partialis continua [EPC], hemiparesis) and neuroimaging markers of progressive brain atrophy. RESULTS AZA was well tolerated; only 1 patient discontinued treatment due to pancytopenia. In 27 of 30 patients receiving AZA, all of whom were corticosteroid responders, corticosteroid therapy could be weaned or reduced without worsening of seizures in 89%. Patients receiving AZA had a lower prevalence of EPC (42% vs 67% in controls) and hemiparesis (64% vs 92%, respectively). Cox regression showed for the AZA group compared to controls a delayed time to (1) EPC (≈2 years, exp[B] = 0.295, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.108-0.807; p = 0.017), (2) hemiparesis (≈1 year, exp[B] = 0.315, 95% CI 0.137-0.724; p = 0.007), and (3) surgery (≈2 years, exp[B] = 2.068, 95% CI 1.012-4.227; p = 0.046). However, there were no group differences in cognitive decline over time (IQ change per year) or in hemispheric gray matter atrophy on serial MRI scans. CONCLUSION AZA treatment appears to slow clinical progression of RS in steroid responders; this will give the greatest advantage in patients in the early stages of the disease in whom surgical decision-making may require further time. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that for pediatric patients with RS AZA is well tolerated and slows hemiparesis and appearance of EPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Pellegrin
- From the Developmental Neurosciences Programme (S.P., T.B., J.H.C.), Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit (S.P., G.C.), University of Verona, Italy; and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (S.P., F.D., S.V., J.H.C.), London, UK
| | - Torsten Baldeweg
- From the Developmental Neurosciences Programme (S.P., T.B., J.H.C.), Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit (S.P., G.C.), University of Verona, Italy; and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (S.P., F.D., S.V., J.H.C.), London, UK
| | - Suresh Pujar
- From the Developmental Neurosciences Programme (S.P., T.B., J.H.C.), Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit (S.P., G.C.), University of Verona, Italy; and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (S.P., F.D., S.V., J.H.C.), London, UK
| | - Felice D'Arco
- From the Developmental Neurosciences Programme (S.P., T.B., J.H.C.), Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit (S.P., G.C.), University of Verona, Italy; and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (S.P., F.D., S.V., J.H.C.), London, UK
| | - Gaetano Cantalupo
- From the Developmental Neurosciences Programme (S.P., T.B., J.H.C.), Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit (S.P., G.C.), University of Verona, Italy; and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (S.P., F.D., S.V., J.H.C.), London, UK
| | - Sophia Varadkar
- From the Developmental Neurosciences Programme (S.P., T.B., J.H.C.), Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit (S.P., G.C.), University of Verona, Italy; and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (S.P., F.D., S.V., J.H.C.), London, UK
| | - J Helen Cross
- From the Developmental Neurosciences Programme (S.P., T.B., J.H.C.), Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit (S.P., G.C.), University of Verona, Italy; and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust (S.P., F.D., S.V., J.H.C.), London, UK.
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Rasmussen's encephalitis: From immune pathogenesis towards targeted-therapy. Seizure 2020; 81:76-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2020.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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David B, Prillwitz CC, Hoppe C, Sassen R, Hörsch S, Weber B, Hattingen E, Elger CE, Rüber T. Morphometric MRI findings challenge the concept of the "unaffected" hemisphere in Rasmussen encephalitis. Epilepsia 2019; 60:e40-e46. [PMID: 30957874 DOI: 10.1111/epi.14702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is an immune-mediated brain disease with progressive unihemispheric atrophy. Although it is regarded as a strictly one-sided pathology, volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have revealed atrophy in the so-called unaffected hemisphere. In contrast to previous studies, we hypothesized that the contralesional hemisphere would show increased gray matter volume in response to the ipsilesional atrophy. We assessed the gray matter volume differences among 21 patients with chronic, late-stage RE and 89 age- and gender-matched healthy controls using voxel-based morphometry. In addition, 11 patients with more than one scan were tested longitudinally. Compared to controls, the contralesional hemisphere of the patients revealed a higher cortical volume but a lower subcortical gray matter volume (all P < 0.001, unpaired t test). Progressive gray matter volume losses in bilateral subcortical gray matter structures were observed (P < 0.05, paired t test). The comparatively higher cortical volume in the contralesional hemisphere can be interpreted as a result of compensatory structural remodeling in response to atrophy of the ipsilesional hemisphere. Contralesional subcortical gray matter volume loss may be due to the pathology or its treatment. Because MRI provides the best marker for determining the progression of RE, an accurate description of its MRI features is clinically relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastian David
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Conrad C Prillwitz
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Hoppe
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert Sassen
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sophia Hörsch
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bernd Weber
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Elke Hattingen
- Department of Radiology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Neuroradiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christian E Elger
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
| | - Theodor Rüber
- Department of Epileptology, University of Bonn Medical Center, Bonn, Germany
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